More than 4 Million Electric Vehicle Charging Stations to be
Deployed in Europe by 2020, Forecasts Pike Research

BOULDER, CO---November 29, 2012: The
introduction of the Renault ZOE at the end of 2012 and the
Volkswagen Golf in 2013 -- two electric vehicles (EVs)
that could have
mass-market appeal -- should dramatically increase
consumer interest in
EVs in Europe, and spur investment from companies looking to provide
charging infrastructure. According to a recent report from Pike
Research, a part of Navigant's Energy Practice, the
market for
electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) will grow rapidly in Europe
over the remainder of the decade, with annual sales of EVSE growing
from
less than 47,000 units in 2012 to nearly 900,000 in 2020. By 2020,
the
study concludes, there will be more than four million charging
stations,
both commercial and residential, operating across Europe.

“European consumers, accustomed to
smaller city cars and driving shorter distances, are expected to
shift
to EVs at a more rapid pace than motorists in North America. Also,
because more Europeans live in multi-unit dwellings, commercial
charging
equipment is likely to be more prevalent there than in North
America.”

"In many ways, Europe is the ideal market for electric
vehicles," says
research director John Gartner. "European consumers,
accustomed to
smaller city cars and driving shorter distances, are expected to
shift
to EVs at a more rapid pace than motorists in North America. Also,
because more Europeans live in multi-unit dwellings, commercial
charging
equipment is likely to be more prevalent there than in North
America."

One factor that could limit the spread of EVSE, according to the
report,
is the great variety between countries in terms of regulations,
government support for EVs and charging infrastructure, and
technologies. The absence of a single, region-wide alternating
current
EV charging connector standard has hampered the deployment of EV
charging infrastructure. The European Union must address these
country-specific variations if the EV market is to thrive, the report
finds.

The report, "Electric
Vehicle Charging Equipment in Europe", examines key market
trends
and drivers for the deployment of electric vehicle charging equipment
across Europe. The study includes a comprehensive analysis of
business
models and demand factors, technology and standards issues, and the
strategies of key industry players within the region. Detailed market
forecasts are provided for 19 European countries and seven key market
segments, including projections for equipment sales and revenue
through
2020. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free
download
on the Pike
Research website.